James Sternlicht
Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Growing up with entrepreneurial parents and a passion for the environment, James found himself at the intersection of investing, marketing, and philanthropy from a young age. At Dartmouth College, he honed his systems thinking approach to global challenges through his focus on environmental studies and geography.
After graduating from university, while exploring emerging technologies and their applications, James identified gaps in coordination among government agencies, research institutions, nonprofits, multilateral organizations, and the private sector. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address climate change and security, he founded The Peace Department, a platform to that creates new avenues for cross-sector collaboration towards building a better human future.
James also serves on the boards of Oceanic Global, which reduces human impact on nature through waste reduction and alternative solutions, Eisenhower Fellowships, which connects innovative leaders committed to creating a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world, and The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), which mobilizes faith-based communities to act on environmental issues.
Jaclyn Lee
Operations Officer
Leveraging her diverse experience in operations, marketing, and coaching across various industries, Jaclyn thrives as an “Optimization Architect.” She brings order and clarity to complex situations, empowering mission-driven teams to achieve impactful results.
Natalia Alvarez De Jesus
Program Officer
Natalia Alvarez De Jesús is a dynamic professional serving as Chief of Staff for The Peace Department. She graduated from Manhattan College in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. In 2020, Natalia was selected as a Fulbright grantee for an English teaching assistantship in Brazil, showcasing her dedication to global education.
Building on her academic achievements, she earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from Ramon Llull Blanquerna in 2021. Natalia’s master’s thesis focused on a compelling sociopolitical and economic analysis of the legitimacy of Puerto Rico’s status under international law, highlighting her expertise in complex global issues.
Her commitment to community development is evident in her role as a Project Assistant for the Organization for Culture of Hispanic Origins, where she played a vital role in establishing a community center in the south of Puerto Rico. Currently serving as Chief of Staff for The Peace Department, Natalia is instrumental in coordinating organizational efforts and providing essential support to various projects. She brings a wealth of experience, academic excellence, and a passion for positive change to her role, embodying a commitment to fostering peace and sustainable development on a global scale.
Mike Scala
Senior Strategic Advisor
Mike works to transform the way that corporations, family offices, governments, NGO’s, and foundations launch their initiatives, align their core values, CSR, and ESG whilst maximizing impact. He is the founder of The Impact Agency and has led efforts around the world in the areas of disaster relief, human rights, education, environmental sustainability, clean energy, and more. With a strong background in public-private partnerships, community and youth engagement, scaling, and building unique initiatives he is currently working with a variety of family offices, institutions, and organizations helping them to create projects that align with their goals and double the impact of their funding. His unique approach has led to the support of communities across 30+ countries and work with organizations such as World Health Organization, Bankers Without Boundaries, Global Citizen, UNHCR, Thomson Reuters, and more. He is the Chief Operating Officer of the PD and an executive coach to various leaders around the world throughout the public and private sector.
